Introduction
You receive an email that appears to be from Amazon. It says: “Unusual activity detected. Verify your account immediately or it will be closed.”
Your heart races. You click the link. You enter your password. Three hours later, you realize the email was fake. Scammers now have access to your real Amazon account, which is linked to your payment methods.
Phishing attacks are the most common cybercrimes. They’re not sophisticated. They’re not high-tech. They’re psychological manipulation delivered via email.
This guide teaches you to recognize phishing, protect yourself, and report scammers.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is sending fake emails designed to look legitimate with the goal of:
- Stealing your login credentials
- Obtaining your payment information
- Installing malware on your computer
- Tricking you into sending money
- Stealing personal information
Phishing isn’t hacking — it’s social engineering. Scammers don’t break into your account. They trick you into giving them access.
Red Flags: How to Identify Phishing Emails
Red Flag 1: Urgent Language and Threats
Phishing emails create a sense of urgency and threat:
“Your account has been compromised!”
“Immediate action required!”
“Your account will be closed permanently!”
“Suspicious activity detected!”
Legitimate companies rarely use urgent threatening language in emails. If you receive urgent email threats, it’s usually phishing.
Red Flag 2: Requests for Passwords or Payment Information
This is the biggest red flag: Legitimate companies NEVER ask for passwords via email.
If an email asks for:
- Your password
- Your PIN
- Your credit card number
- Your security code
- Your social security number
It’s definitely phishing. No legitimate company requests sensitive information via email.
Red Flag 3: Suspicious Sender Address
Phishing emails try to mimic legitimate companies but the sender address is slightly wrong:
- Instead of “amazon.com” it’s “amaz0n.com” (zero instead of O)
- Instead of “paypal.com” it’s “paypa1.com” (1 instead of l)
- Instead of “support@amazon.com” it’s “support@amazon.support.net”
Always check the sender’s email address carefully. Hover over it (don’t click) to see the full address.
Red Flag 4: Generic Greetings
Legitimate companies usually personalize emails:
Real: “Hello John,”
Phishing: “Dear Customer,” “Dear Valued Member,” “Dear User”
Red Flag 5: Spelling and Grammar Errors
Many phishing emails are poorly written:
“Your accoun has ben compromised”
“Verifiy you identity”
“Update you informaton”
Legitimate companies have professional writers. If an email from a major company has obvious spelling errors, it’s phishing.
Red Flag 6: Suspicious Links
Hover over (don’t click) links in emails. The link destination should match the text:
If the link says “Click here to verify your Amazon account” but the URL is “verify.scamsite.net,” it’s phishing.
Legitimate companies link to their actual websites, not random URLs.
Red Flag 7: Unexpected Attachments
If you receive an email with attachments from someone you don’t know, it’s suspicious. Don’t download it.
Phishing emails often contain malware in attachments.
Red Flag 8: Requests to Confirm Information
“Confirm your account details by replying to this email”
“Verify your information by clicking below”
Legitimate companies don’t ask you to confirm sensitive information via email. They just verify internally.
Common Phishing Scenarios
Banking/Payment Phishing
Scammers impersonate banks, PayPal, credit card companies:
“Unusual activity on your account. Verify your information immediately.”
They want your:
- Login credentials
- Payment information
- Account numbers
- Social security number
Amazon/Shopping Phishing
Scammers impersonate major retailers:
“Package delivery failed. Update your address.”
“Confirm your payment method.”
They want your:
- Login credentials
- Payment information
- Address and personal details
Email Provider Phishing
Scammers impersonate Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook:
“Verify your email address to keep your account active.”
“Unusual login detected. Confirm your password.”
They want your:
- Email password
- Recovery phone number
- Recovery email address
- Two-factor authentication codes
Tax/Government Phishing
Scammers impersonate tax agencies or government:
“You’re eligible for a tax refund.”
“Update your Social Security information.”
They want your:
- Social security number
- Bank account information
- Tax information
- Personal details
How to Protect Yourself
Step 1: Never Click Links in Unexpected Emails
If you receive an email from a company asking you to verify information:
- Don’t click the link in the email
- Go to the official website yourself (type the URL in your browser)
- Log in and check your account directly
- If there’s a problem, you’ll see it in your account
This ensures you’re accessing the real website, not a phishing site.
Step 2: Verify Before Entering Information
If an email asks you to enter information:
- Go to the company’s official website
- Look for a support section or call their phone number
- Ask: “Did you just send me an email asking for information?”
- They’ll tell you if it’s legitimate or phishing
Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if a phisher gets your password, they can’t access your account if 2FA is enabled.
Enable 2FA on:
- Email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.)
- Banking and financial apps
- Social media accounts
- PayPal and payment services
- Any account with sensitive information
Step 4: Use a Password Manager
If you use unique, complex passwords managed by a password manager:
- Phishing sites won’t have your password (it’s too complex to guess)
- Your password manager won’t auto-fill on fake websites (wrong domain)
- Even if you accidentally enter your password, it won’t work on fake sites
Step 5: Use Email Filters
Most email services have phishing protection:
- Gmail: Automatically filters most phishing
- Yahoo: Has phishing prevention
- Outlook: Built-in phishing protection
These aren’t perfect but catch many obvious phishing emails.
Step 6: Report Phishing
If you receive a phishing email:
Gmail: Click the three dots → Report phishing
Yahoo: Click the exclamation mark → Report as phishing
Outlook: Click the “…” → Report phishing
Reporting helps email providers improve their filters.
Step 7: Use Temporary Email for Untrusted Sites
Use temporary email when signing up for services you don’t fully trust. This prevents:
- Your real email from being used in phishing attacks
- Your real email from being sold to scammers
- Phishing emails reaching your primary inbox
What to Do If You Clicked a Phishing Link
Don’t panic. Follow these steps:
- Stop immediately — Don’t enter any information
- Don’t enter your password — You’ve already exposed yourself
- Leave the website — Close the browser tab
- Go to the real website — Check if your account was accessed
- Change your password — Immediately change it to something new and strong
- Enable 2FA — If not already enabled
- Monitor your account — Watch for suspicious activity for the next 3 months
- Scan your computer — Use antivirus software to check for malware
- Report it — Tell the real company you were targeted with a phishing email
- Report the phishing email — To your email provider and authorities if needed
What to Do If You Entered Your Password
If you entered your password on a phishing website:
- Immediately change your password at the real website
- Enable 2FA on that account
- Check account activity for unauthorized access
- Monitor other accounts linked to this email
- Contact the company to report the breach
- File a report with cybercrime authorities if financial impact
- Monitor your credit for identity theft
Your password was compromised, but changing it immediately limits damage.
Phishing Statistics
- 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily
- 1 in 5 employees click phishing links
- Average phishing email looks exactly like legitimate email
- 90% of data breaches start with phishing
- Most phishing attempts are unsophisticated but effective
The most dangerous phishing isn’t technically advanced. It’s psychologically manipulative.
Conclusion
Phishing is the most common cyberattack. Unlike hacking, it doesn’t require technical sophistication — just psychological manipulation.
By understanding phishing red flags, never clicking suspicious links, and verifying information independently, you can avoid being victimized.
Remember: Legitimate companies never ask for passwords via email.
FAQ
Q: Is my computer infected if I clicked a phishing link?
A: Not necessarily. Clicking a link is risky but doesn’t automatically infect you. Don’t enter any information and you’ll likely be fine.
Q: What if I already gave them my password?
A: Change your password immediately and enable 2FA. Do this before they access your account.
Q: Can I get money back after being phished?
A: If money was transferred, contact your bank immediately. Some transactions can be reversed.